Salt marks from winter pavements respond to a cloth dipped in a very weak solution of white vinegar and water, dabbed rather than rubbed, then dried and brushed. Fresh mud should be left to dry completely and then brushed off — attacking it wet drives it into the fibres.
Once your shoes are clean, a suede protector spray applied to dry shoes in a well-ventilated spot is genuinely worth the ten minutes. Reapply every few weeks in wet weather.
Can I clean suede shoes in the washing machine?
No, and this is one of the few places where I would be absolutely firm. The combination of prolonged soaking, detergent and tumbling strips the natural oils from the leather, mats the nap permanently and can warp the shape and glued seams beyond rescue. If a pair is so far gone that only a machine seems adequate, take them to a shoe repairer instead — professional suede cleaning often costs less than people assume.
How do I stop suede from getting ruined in the first place?
Protector spray, applied before the first wear and topped up regularly, is the single biggest factor, since it buys you time to blot a spill before it becomes a stain. Beyond that, rotate your shoes so each pair gets a full day to dry out, brush them briefly after wearing rather than waiting for a deep clean, and store them with shoe trees or crumpled paper away from direct sunlight and radiators. Two minutes of upkeep a week is far less effort than an hour of rescue in October.
